What is characterized by the ability of each branch to oversee and limit the others?

The ability of each branch of government to oversee and limit the actions of the others is a fundamental principle known as checks and balances. This system is designed to prevent any one branch—executive, legislative, or judicial—from gaining unchecked power.

Checks and balances ensure that each branch can monitor and restrict the powers of the other branches through various mechanisms. For example, the legislative branch can create laws, but the executive branch has the power to veto those laws. Additionally, the judicial branch can review and potentially strike down laws that it finds unconstitutional, thus checking the power of both the legislative and executive branches.

This framework is crucial in maintaining a balance of power and safeguarding democracy by ensuring that no single branch of government can dominate the political landscape or infringe on individual rights. The other options, while related to the structure of government, do not specifically describe this interactive oversight process. Federalism refers to the distribution of power between national and state governments, separation of powers delineates the distinct functions of each branch, and limited authority focuses on the constraints placed on governmental power, but none directly convey the nuanced interplay of oversight that defines checks and balances.